Thursday, 23 August 2012

TRAVEL TIDBITS: You can now select your flight partner with AirBaltic’s Seat Buddy system

Every time we travel by flight alone, we secretly hope to sit next to a cute guy/girl or an interesting conversationalist to make the long hours feel shorter. But if experience is any indicator, you’ll find yourself sitting next to that noisy fellow or an annoying cranky kid or worse, an uninteresting talkative person. And suddenly, the long hours seem endless.

However, we have reason to rejoice! Latvian airline airBaltic has introduced a first-of-a-kind intriguing feature called SeatBuddy that pairs like-minded travellers. This free service aims at finding you a partner that is in the same ‘flight mood’ as you. Potential matches will be asked questions that range from ‘Do you snore?’ to ‘Will you be accompanied by bratty children?’ to suit your needs. And if you’re the kind of traveller that enjoys his/her peace and quiet and has no intention of interacting with anyone, don’t fret, as this innovative service can find you a suitable partner that will let you be.

There are four moods to choose from: business talk, easy chat, talk and relax. So if you want to focus on networking, select the ‘business talk’ option and if you simply want to have a casual conversation with someone, tick the ‘easy chat’ option. This is an optional service that caters to both sociable and non-sociable air travellers. However, the only drawback is that passengers will not be able to ban anybody from sitting next to them. But after all, there is always a surprise element here as you won’t know who you’d end up sitting next to, even though you have an idea of the kind of person you’d like to spend that time with.
You never know who you might meet :)


For more details, click here.


Courtesy::Satisfly.com

Wednesday, 22 August 2012

TRAVEL TIDBITS: Your Holiday Wash service

As much as I love travelling, there are some mundane chores I’d rather avoid on a trip. And laundry certainly tops the list (for me, packing and re-packing comes a close second). Personally, I avoid doing laundry for as long as I can manage to. But unfortunately, it’s avoidable only on shorter trips; any long trip demands a visit to the laundry every now and then. Seeing travellers dread, well, clean clothes, a unique new laundry service was recently launched in the UK called Your Holiday Wash. So if you live in the UK or are visiting, you can avail of this service for £49.90. A call or an email later, they collect, wash, dry, iron and return your holiday laundry—all prim and proper, folded in a box—and return it to your doorstep. It comes ready to be packed up.

For more information, check their Facebook page.


Tuesday, 21 August 2012

TRAVEL TIDBITS: A Sweden hotel that trades art for rooms

If you’re a struggling artist and a backpacker who can’t afford a swanky hotel stay, then here is some good news for you. You can now use your artworks in exchange for a stay at The Clarion Hotel Stockholm, Sweden. And you will want to, when you realise that some such rooms start at US$125 per night!

Equivalent to actual currency, the hotel’s ‘Room for Art’ policy allows its creative guests to pay for their stay with an original, signed work of art. This unique offer is the brainchild of general manager Marcus Majewski, who was inspired by his artist father’s past, when he paid with art for a room at the legendary Chelsea Hotel, New York in the 1970s, which was known for residing upcoming artists between the 1960s to the 1980s. In addition, the hotel often collaborates with artists and musicians to host art gallery showings and performances. They even an in-house art consultant who provides art tours upon request. So far, almost 50 guests have paid for their lodging with art. No surprise there!

P.S. Keep in mind that this offer is valid based on maximum two-person occupancy per double room for one night per stay. The offer can also be taken advantage of maximum two times per person, per year.

A note to the artists: The artworks must be signed by the artist, and are limited to A4 size. This must be submitted upon arrival with a ‘Room for Art’ form available via the hotel's website. Read more or to submit your work, click here.

Address: Ringvägen 98, Box 20025, 104 60 Stockholm
Tel: 46 8 462 10 00; www.clarionstockholm.com



                                       Courtesy: Clarion Hotel Stockholm

Monday, 20 August 2012

TRAVEL TIDBITS - Segway tours start in New Delhi

Segway PT (personal transporter) tours are a common phenomenon in many European and American cities. A two-wheeler, battery-operated electric vehicle, a Segway is one of the most relaxing and refreshing ways to enjoy the outdoors.

Bird Travels, a tourism company based in New Delhi, recently began Segway tours in India. Tourists and locals alike can now explore the country’s capital on this unusual two-wheeler. It currently operates from the Secretariat building till India Gate covering the following heritage spots:
  • Rashtrapati Bhavan
  • Parliament
  • The Ministry buildings located at Rajpath
  • Amar Jawan Jyoti
  • India Gate

The tour lasts for 45 minutes and is limited to groups of six at a time. Mandatory safety provisions are made by ensuring every tourist is given helmets and safety gear, such as elbow and knee pads, and a brief training session precedes the tour.

For more information
, call (+91) 124 4610666/3322052 or log on to http://segwaytour.co.in/ or email them on segwaytour@bird.in

Before you book, here are a few things to keep in mind:
  • Children under 12 are not recommended for the tour.
  • The Segway PT is appropriate for those weighing more than 45 kg and not exceeding 100 kg.
  • Segway rentals are possible. Simply email them with your request and they can arrange them for you.
  • They also offer private group tours, and can arrange for corporate tours. A drop-off and pick-up of the Segways as well as a guide to assist with training, information and support throughout the event is also provided.

Introducing: TRAVEL TIDBITS

The usual, the unusual, the simple and the quirky, now get the latest news and tips in the world of travel on www.TravellerStories.com with its new section: Travel Tidbits.


Photo by Jessica Tam via Flickr.com



Coming up: Segway Tours start in New Delhi